The Business of Healthcare Podcast with Tara Humphrey

Hosted by Tara Humphrey

Business Management Health FitnessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed LinkedIn

Episodes

378

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

Tara Humphrey looks behind the scenes at the business side of healthcare by talking to NHS and private healthcare leaders. Throughout this podcast, she also shares her own leadership insights. Tara has an MBA in Healthcare Leadership and Management and is the Founder and CEO of THC Primary Care, a leading healthcare consultancy.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 3, 202628 min

#375 Both Sides of the Table: An HR Professional on Taking Voluntary Redundancy from the NHS with Sarah Boxall

What happens when an HR professional finds themselves on the other side of redundancy? In this episode of The Business of Healthcare Podcast, Tara is joined by Sarah Boxall, HR and recruitment professional with more than 20 years of experience across the private sector, local government, higher education, and the NHS. Sarah offers a unique perspective on navigating organisational change, career uncertainty, and the realities of looking for work during a period of significant transformation across the health and care system. Sarah shares practical advice for anyone facing change, considering their next career move, or supporting others through workforce transitions. In this episode, Sarah discusses: What redundancy feels like from the employee perspective, even when the process is handled well The emotional reality of delivering difficult news as an HR professional Why uncertainty can be more challenging than change itself How to approach job searching during periods of organisational disruption The importance of maintaining an up-to-date CV Understanding the "hidden job market" and where opportunities are often found Using LinkedIn effectively to build connections and discover new roles Identifying your non-negotiables when considering your next career move Managing mindset, resilience, and confidence during periods of career transition Why flexibility, purpose, and job satisfaction matter as much as salary This is an honest and practical conversation for anyone navigating workforce change, supporting colleagues through uncertainty, or considering what comes next in their own career. Find Sarah on LinkedIn here.

May 20, 202640 min

#374 Community pharmacy and general practice integration with Michael Lennox, National Pharmacy Association

In this episode of the Business of Healthcare podcast, Tara is joined by pharmacy leader and self-described "serial integrator" Michael Lennox for a passionate conversation about the relationship between community pharmacy and general practice, and why working together is essential for the future of healthcare. Michael shares how two decades in healthcare leadership shaped his belief that seamless, connected care is healthcare's real superpower. Together, they explore why integration still feels frustratingly out of reach, despite years of reforms, new structures, and ambitious NHS plans. The conversation covers the tension between independent contractor models and integrated care, the 'Cinderella syndrome' community pharmacy often experiences, and why both pharmacy and general practice are often fighting the same battles without realising it. Michael & Tara also discuss: Why conferences can create a 'bungee effect' of motivation How to keep momentum alive after inspiration fades Rapid Action Teams and solving problems quickly at a local level The importance of celebrating frontline success stories Why optimism still matters in healthcare leadership This is an honest, energetic and hopeful conversation about collaboration, leadership and building better systems from the ground up. Learn more about the conference being held on 21 and 22 June 2026 here. Email Michael here or find Michael on LinkedIn here.

May 6, 202643 min

#373 Leading Through Complexity: Careers, Collaboration & Change in Primary Care With Bobby Pozzoni-Child

In this episode, Tara speaks with Bobby Pozzoni-Child, Director of Partnerships and Transformation for the Primary Care Provider Collaborative Together, they explore what it really means to work across a complex healthcare system, from understanding "place" and "neighbourhood" working, to building a career without a clear path. Bobby shares honest insights on curiosity, leadership, and the realities of driving change across organisations. What's covered? Why understanding the wider system is key to progression How careers in primary care often evolve (rather than follow a set path) The role curiosity plays in building influence and knowledge The balance between collaboration, decision-making, and pace What actually makes a meeting effective (and worth attending) Why titles matter more than we sometimes like to admit This episode offers a practical look at leadership beyond job titles, and how to navigate ambiguity, build relationships, and make an impact in a constantly evolving system. Get in touch with Bobby on LinkedIn here.

April 22, 202639 min

#372 How GP Practices Can Grow, Innovate & Truly Serve Patients With Nabeel Arshad

In this episode of The Business of Healthcare, Tara sits down with GP partner and entrepreneur Nabeel Arshad to explore what it really means to run a modern general practice like a business. From growing a patient list from 10,000 to 20,000 in under five years, to transforming patient access through tech and communication, Nabeel shares practical, honest insights into what works, and what doesn't. They discuss: Why GP practices must think like businesses (without losing patient care) How listening to patients drives meaningful growth The role of innovation, tech, and social media in modern general practice Lessons learned from investing £300k into marketing and systems Why not all patient demands should be met, and the importance of education Navigating stakeholder priorities, including the ICB When to persist with an idea vs when to walk away Plus, a candid look at the realities of change, team resistance, failed experiments, and the mindset needed to keep improving. This episode is packed with actionable ideas for anyone looking to grow, innovate, and future-proof their practice. Get in touch with Nabeel Arshad via LinkedIn here.

April 8, 2026Episode 37133 min

#371 Why Physio Belongs at the Heart of Primary Care with Phin Robinson

What happens when a physio drives 35 minutes to see one patient, drives 35 minutes back, and does it again the next day? That's how Pure Physiotherapy started in 2006, in a small room off the back of a gym in Rotherham. Twenty years later, Finn Robinson's company supports nearly 250 PCNs across England, seeing over 90,000 patients a month. In this episode, Tara sits down with Phin, returning guest, founder of Pure Physio, to talk about what two decades of building in primary care actually looks like. They cover the 2026/27 GP contract, the uncapping of GP salaries within ARRS, the real risk of roles never getting properly embedded, and why squeezing appointment slots from 20 to 10 minutes isn't the efficiency gain it looks like on paper. In this episode: Why the GP salary uncapping within ARRS is the biggest risk to additional roles and what PCNs should be thinking about now The clinical case for 20-minute FCP appointments, and what the evidence says about self-management and follow-up rates The difference between flexibility and instability, and how physio governance frameworks protect both patients and practitioners Neighbourhood health: genuine excitement, not enough money, and the networks that are making it work anyway Growth versus impact — why Finn measures success in patients reached, not revenue What it actually takes to set up a physio business: clinical excellence, passion, and a very long tolerance for doing everything yourself Key quotes: "Flexibility is a scale. Once you get to the point of unsustainability, it's unstable. You're just waiting for something to go wrong." "I'm not interested in growth for growth's sake. I'm thinking — what can we do to influence people in a more beneficial way?" Mentioned in this episode: Pure Physiotherapy / Pure Unity Health — pureunityhealth.co.uk Every Move Counts — the GoJoe movement challenge for health and care professionals The Lord Darzi report (October 2024) First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) and the ARRS framework Connect with Tara here Connect with Phin Robinson via LinkedIn here, or via email here.

April 3, 2026Episode 37024 min

#370 Returning to Work After Bereavement: What Nobody Tells You About Grief and Work

Returning to work after bereavement is one of the hardest things you will ever navigate — and almost nobody talks honestly about what it looks like from the inside. In this episode of The Business of Healthcare, Tara Humphrey shares her personal experience of working while grieving after losing her daughter. This is not a how-to guide. It is an honest, unfiltered account of what grief at work actually feels like — the contradictions, the cost of showing up, and what has genuinely helped. If you are currently working through bereavement, managing a team member who has experienced loss, or trying to understand what grief in the workplace really looks like, this episode is for you. Tara covers: Why professionalism at work is not the same as being okay The deliberate decision to keep work life and home life separate whilst grieving Why well-meaning messages during working hours can make things harder, not easier The difference between distraction and displacement — and why the language matters What hour-by-hour survival actually looks like on the worst days The role of therapy, trusted friendships, and small daily anchors in keeping going What managers and colleagues can do to genuinely support someone returning to work after bereavement Working whilst grieving is incredibly tough. If this reaches even one person who feels less alone because of it, that is enough.

March 25, 202640 min

#369 Funding, Advocacy & What Needs to Change with Dr Steve Taylor

In this episode of The Business of Healthcare Podcast, Tara is joined by Dr Steve Taylor, Steve had been a GP Partner in Manchester since 1994 before leaving his partnership in 2021 to work as a locum. He was also a GP trainer for 24 years and involved in training more than 60 GPs. He started advocating for GPs and the NHS more generally in 2021 having more time to look at the issues and potential solutions. This started with exploring the data available and sharing findings via social media. In January 2023 he joined DAUK. This is an honest and thought-provoking conversation that goes beyond headlines, exploring the realities of funding, workforce pressures, and what it will take to secure general practice for the long term. Together, Tara and Steve discuss: Why general practice funding has effectively decreased over the last decade The case for increasing funding by £40 per patient, and what that would mean in practice How current NHS spending may not always be the most cost-effective The role of the Doctors' Association UK and why independent advocacy matters The importance of continuity of care and why it improves patient outcomes Why primary care must have a stronger voice in shaping neighbourhood health Steve also shares his vision for what "good" general practice could look like, including a more proactive, patient-centred approach with annual reviews and improved continuity. Contact Steve using the links below; Twitter/X @drstevetaylor Facebook, NHS Facts and Stats LinkedIn @drstevetaylor Bluesky @drstevetaylor.bsky.social

March 11, 202629 min

#368 Neighbourhoods, PCNs & The Future of Primary Care with Ben Gowland

In this episode of The Business of Healthcare Podcast, Tara is joined by Ben Gowland, Director and Principal Consultant at Ockham Healthcare, to discuss the future of primary care, the role of relationships in effective leadership, and what the latest GP contract signals for Primary Care Networks and neighbourhood working. Ben & Tara reflect on how leadership, collaboration and system dynamics have evolved over the last decade, exploring the shift from PCNs towards neighbourhood based working, how leaders can build meaningful relationships in a rapidly changing NHS landscape, and why taking action, even with imperfect information, is often better than waiting for certainty. Along the way, Tara and Ben also reflect on their own professional journeys, the importance of authenticity in leadership, and the realities of navigating complex healthcare systems. Key Takeaways Healthcare leadership rarely follows a simple formula. As Ben explains, success often comes down to relationships, adaptability, and the willingness to make decisions even when the path forward isn't entirely clear. Want to join Ben & Tara at PCN Plus LIVE 2026 on Wednesday 22nd April 2026? This year they'll explore how stronger collaborations, local solutions, and bold ideas can transform the future of healthcare delivery. To find out more, or purchase your ticket visit here.

March 4, 202624 min

#367 Selling Healthcare Solutions with Jim Gabriel – How It Got Commissioned

We've reached the final episode of our How It Got Commissioned series, and this one takes a different perspective. This week, Tara is joined by Jim Gabriel, Chief Commercial Officer of CardMedic, bringing a rare secondary care and commercial lens to one of healthcare's biggest questions: How do you actually sell innovation into the NHS? While many conversations focus on ideas and innovation, Jim explores the reality behind commissioning, the strategy, relationships and science that turn good ideas into funded services. In this episode, we explore: Why innovation must solve a real problem, not just be a good idea The three essentials for commissioning success: need, funding, and authority to spend The hidden complexity of NHS decision-making and procurement Why sales in healthcare is really about relationships, not persuasion The SCOTSMAN methodology and how understanding competition shapes success How innovators can position solutions to survive in a financially pressured system One of the biggest takeaways? Innovation doesn't fail because the idea isn't good, it fails when funding, decision-makers and system priorities don't align. This episode closes the series with practical insight for anyone trying to move from concept to commissioned reality. Connect with Jim Gabriel via LinkedIn here or via email here.

February 25, 202626 min

#366 Innovation, Integration & Impact with Neil Modha – How It Got Commissioned

This week on The Business of Healthcare Podcast, we're joined by Dr Neil Modha from Thistlemoor Medical Centre. Neil shares his insights on how primary care practices can identify opportunities, innovate services, and work collaboratively with hospitals to create sustainable, patient-focused solutions. In this episode, we cover: Turning opportunities into action - How Neil transformed unused space into an endoscopy unit in partnership with a hospital. Stacking services for impact - Using one facility to support multiple services, including health & fitness, smoking cessation, and staff well-being. Workforce integration - Sharing staff between pharmacy and medical center to build community and enhance skills. Patient-focused innovation - Creating small group programs tailored to patient needs using a population health management approach. Networking and relationships - Why being active in your system and meeting the right people opens doors for new services. Neil also shares his personal approach to health and fitness, and how leading by example helps inspire both staff and patients. This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to innovate in primary care or create collaborative, community-focused healthcare solutions. Listen back to Neil Modha's previous features on The Business of Healthcare Podcast below; The key ingredients of General Practice Getting rid of the Us & Them from General Practice Tackling Health Inequalities and Transforming Patient Care Connect with Dr Neil Modha here.